South Fayette commissioners discuss park dog run zones
The South Fayette commissioners are expected to vote on the formation of a sub-committee for the township’s Parks and Recreation Board dedicated to researching and finding a solution to an off-leash area for dogs in the township’s parks.
The off-leash zone in Fairview Park was discontinued in November following an incident in which a small dog was injured after being attacked by another dog.
The closure sparked discussion at Board of Commissioners meetings, where the idea for a committee to find a solution that might allow for a leash-free area was brought up. If approved Jan. 18, the new sub-committee would make recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Board to then be brought to the commissioners for final approval.
Commissioner Jessica Cardillo added to the discussion at the board’s Jan. 11 meeting when she presented the rest of the board with information regarding an anti-tethering ordinance. The ordinance, she said, would require dogs, cats and other domesticated animals kept outside to have access to food, water and shelter. Animals would need to be brought inside in situations of inclement weather.
“I don’t feel that this is an issue here in our township,” Cardillo said. “But it’s something I would like to be proactive on.”
The information Cardillo provided closely resembles an ordinance recently adopted by the City of Pittsburgh. Her hope, she told the board, is that by passing a similar ordinance, “that it would encourage our neighboring communities to do the same and kind of have a ripple effect.”
Meanwhile, the commissioners learned the state Department of Transportation will not take responsibility for a connector road proposed near the end of Route 50 in South Fayette Township as part of the new Southern Beltway. Township Manager Ryan Eggleston told the commissioners that during a recent meeting with the Turnpike Commission it was explained that PennDOT, which would usually accept the maintenance and upkeep responsibilities for a connector road or interchange, would not be doing so for the proposed connector road. The township could either turn responsibility over to the Turnpike Commission, which would then salt, seal and maintain the roadway, or retain ownership and take care of the road.
By retaining responsibility, South Fayette would be able to access the road for future development. If the road were to be turned over to the Turnpike Commission, access for development would be more difficult, he said, since there is no existing process for granting development access with the Turnpike.
“There’s a future cost negative, but a future development positive,” Cardillo said.
The board was expected to continue discussion at its Jan. 18 voting meeting.